ARGGHH!! I hate getting shocked by my car!

[iamshady]

Open the door, put your hand on the outside of the car before getting out, then get out, close the door, walk away knowing you defeated static electricity 🙂

 

[Sluggo]

There was another thread about this a few days ago. Someone said make a little chain out of paper clips and hang it from your frame and let it drag the ground, I have been meaning to try it out, just havent been bored enough at work to make a paper clip chain.

My car shocks me every morning by actually starting.

 

[andrey]

This is not uncommon with many vehicles, particularly in winter. Just like walking from the cold, dry outside air into a carpeted home, then touching a metal doorknob or handrail -- ZAP! -- a static electrical shock.

Years ago, parts stores sold plastic-coated ground straps that would be bolted to the rear bumper to drag on the pavement and provide a ground path for this static electricity. I actually saw a late-model GM truck with a pair of these hanging from the rear bumper just last week. But I don't know where they're available these days.

I have also seen some data indicating that the reduction in the use of carbon black in the manufacturing of tires might contribute to a static electricity problem. But more recently, a caller to my Detroit radio show confirmed that upholstery fabrics cause static buildup. He should know; he worked for one of the auto industry's large interior suppliers.

So it appears that an aerosol anti-static product is the right answer. Perhaps even tossing a couple of anti-static cloths on the seat might help.

But here's the more immediate answer. When exiting the vehicle, make contact with a metal part of the body before stepping onto the ground or pavement. This won't prevent the static charge, but it will ground it through your shoe rather than your fingers.

 

[Uclagamer_99]

this is a funny thread 🙂

 

[dakata24]

nod for using the window to shut the door..

cold weather increases likeliehood of getting shocked..? dont recall the last time i got shocked recently, but rememeber getting shocked alot during the summer..

 

[MWink]

Radio Shack used to sell a static discharge keychain that looked like a mouse and had a light on it. It was a hot deal here a while back. I got one and it really does work. You hold on to the back of it and touch the tip on something metal and you can see it light up. Then you can touch the metal without being shocked.



<< try wrapping all metal surfaces in duct tape. It may not be pretty but it ought to solve the problem. >>



This coming from the guy who swore to kill me if I put a single piece of duct tape on his car. 😕

 

[propellerhead]

Grab a dryer sheet and rub it all over the seats. Or, if you use liquid softener, dilute some in a spray bottle and spray it over the seats.

 

[Bignate603]

I have a leather interior (trust me, the rest of the car sucks but the leather is still ok) and I don't get shocked. I would second that it's the interior because I get zapped in my dad's car all the time.

 

[Kenazo]

I noted this in another thread on the same topic- up here in Canada piles of people have anti-static "strips" which attach underneath the car and contact the pavement to prevent build-up of static electricity.

If you guys are so deprived that this doesn't exist down there, maybe I can hook you guys up. PM me if you're interested in one, I can drop by the Crappy Tire on the way home and pick some up to ship out, I don't think they're very expensive.

 

[Doggiedog]

We had a thread about this a while back. I can't seem to locate it though.

For your immediate solution, you should push the window to open the door or close the door. Then you need to discharge yourself by touching your keys to the door lock. That's what I used to do. I hated getting shocked like that. I used to get 1 inch bolts coming out of my keys sometimes.

I noticed that with cloth seats, you are very likely to get shocked because all the leather seated cars I've been in haven't had that problem.

For a long term solution, I think they sell these plastic strips at auto stores that attach to the bottom of your car like ones you see on buses. They should help.

 

[Beattie]

Just hang a chain, or any conductor from your car to the ground so the car will be grounded. Any static buildup will be discharged through that and not you.